#FridayFeature- Justin Barney
Welcome to Feature Friday! This is the section of our new site where we get to gather around, learn from one another, create together and get to know each other. For the next couple of months, we will be introducing you to a different person in our region who is involved in making worship happen.
Tell us about yourself!
Hey everyone! Danielle and I have been married for 12 years in May. We have two littles, Abbey (5) and Soren (3). Danielle is a Reading Teacher at a local school and I work for our church. In 2012, we moved our family back to New England from Pennsylvania to follow God's call to plant a gospel-centered church in the least-churched region in the nation. I am now reacquainted with seafood and snowblowers.
We recently bought a house and have been enjoying making it a home. Fridays are usually family game night, so we'll probably be breaking out Mouse Trap later.
What church do you serve at?
I serve as the Lead Pastor at Praxis Church in Keene, NH.
In what way do you serve the worship team?
I currently lead from guitar and play drums. I also help to develop the culture of worship in our church. Lately, it has been awesome to see others step out into the gifts God has given them to serve with.
What is a book that changed your life?
I read a lot of dead guys. One book that has really impacted my life is "Fear & Trembling by Søren Kierkegaard. I love how he engages themes like anxiety and faith.
How did you first meet God?
I have been in the church as long as I can remember and was even called by God into ministry at a young age, but it wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I truly understood grace. Before that, I was trying to live a moral life in hopes that God would somehow approve of me. When I got grace, it hit me like a freight train crashing through the Crystal Cathedral at 100 mph and I've never been the same since!
Do you write songs?
Yes and no. I have written several complete songs, but most of my ideas are music-driven and end up on my phone.
What is a worship song that your church is engaging with the most?
We're usually late to the party, but songs like "King of My Heart" and "Lion & The Lamb" are currently resonating here.
What is something that you like to do outside of your Church?
I'm hot on the vinyl trail right now. Last summer, I had my first pressing copy of "Pet Sounds" signed by Brian Wilson himself!
I've also discovered a love for creating and repurposing things out of old pallet wood. Working on a bookshelf now.
What aspect of worship ministry gives you the most joy?
Three Joys: 1) There's nothing like leading people into God's presence through song, 2) It is an absolute blast to play with people who I connect with musically and 3) I love watching it happen without me - in other words, I like to "catch and release" new leaders.
What is the best piece of advice or training event you have ever experienced?
Everybody has their "thing" ... might even be a good "thing", but it might not be your "thing". Our job is to figure out what God's "thing" is for us and move into that. That's the "thing".